Meditations for connection in the time of isolation

Taken from the stories of freedom fighters, the book of Ecclesiastes, and God’s Trombones from James Weldon Johnson, Michelle Higgins shares pieces of her daily prayer practice while in isolation.

DAY ONE

Lord we come to you this morning, knee bowed and body bent

Before Thy throne of grace, Like empty pitchers to a full fountain: with no merit of our own. 

O Lord open up a window of heaven, Lean out over the battlements of glory, And listen this morning. 

James Weldon Johnson

I’ve been thinking about the practices of Lent: contemplation and penitence, almsgiving and acts of mercy, then fasting. “I will stop eating meat” is barely the beginning of observing the season. And now, over all of the world, Christians have the opportunity to fully embody the season. In order to survive, we must go without. If we are to thrive, we must simplify. Without festivals, commencement exercises and spaces to socialize, we can contemplate more regularly, and commune more earnestly. 

In prayer we might speak peace to one another’s anxieties. We might connect spiritually to isolated people around the world. We might find a holy levity, some strange solace in this season of separation. 

I’m writing a prayer each morning of the great isolation, in hopes of practicing empathy and spiritual presence. What are your habits of fellowship with your Creator, Redeemer, Comforter God? Faith for Justice team leaders started the resource list below. Please share your recommends!

Online services of progressive Black/POC congregations 

Trinity UCC in Chicago

The Double Love Experience in Brooklyn, NY

Prayers and Devotionals

#TreasuresofDarkness African Descent Month Devotional: 28 entries on Medium.com

Praying with James Baldwin This archive from a limited series has been a go-to on our team for a few years now. We hope they will produce more soon!

Daily Prayer Project Continuing prayers and devotionals for every liturgical season. This groups is currently offering a free printed devotional.

Prayers from Terry This is the Instagram page of a true prayer-wright. Terry Stokes takes requests for writing collects. Self-identified as having “Big common prayer energy”, his page is exactly what we need right now.

Ignatian Solidarity Network - This year’s Lent Devotional is titled “Radical Hope” and we could not agree more. To have hope in this season has often been so hard that it takes a radical posture, we hope that some of these resources are helpful in leading you to radical hope as well.